Tags: Dean Wariner

While James Sterling was busy wasting away his life, he had an English teacher who thought he had some talent and might make something of himself as a writer. She suggested that his state university had a pretty good journalism school.

In the Columbia Public Schools, we believe our students are our kids. We believe every one of our kids is entitled to A.E.O. — Achievement, Enrichment, and Opportunity. Three simple words, and each one denotes access.

Talk Story, Write Story had never before used volunteer coaches to work one-on-one with students to win scholarships. The program began without name or direction 18 years ago in my 80 percent Native Hawaiian community of Hana, Hawaii.

Looking back on this academic year, I am most proud of my time with the Talk Story, Write Story program. I knew it was going to be a huge inaugural undertaking but had no idea how much this scholarship effort would consume my life.

Journalism should strengthen the communities it serves and help the members of those communities lead better lives. This brings me to Talk Story, Write Story. That’s where Tad Bartimus and Dean Wariner come in.